So are the people who practice bonsai and ikebana, two Asian art forms that will be on display during the Carolina Bonsai Expo on Oct. 12 and 13 at the North Carolina Arboretum.

Bonsai, the practice of growing and trimming miniature trees in containers, is more than just an exercise in horticulture and pruning, practitioners say – it is a form for contemplation and patience.

Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, is also considered a spiritual practice done in silence and intended to emphasize minimalism and nature.

“American Barberry”, photo courtesy of NC Arboretum

The Carolina Bonsai Expo features juried exhibits by bonsai enthusiasts from a six-state region, a bonsai marketplace, workshops, free demonstrations and an ikebana exhibit by the Asheville Chapter of Ikebana International.

The event itself is free, although admission to the North Carolina Arboretum costs $8 per car.

The arboretum has some bonsai on the grounds year-round, and also provides beautiful grounds for strolling and admiring plants, as well as hiking and biking trails and ongoing exhibits of art, natural history and cultural heritage.